Former Texans cheerleaders claim sex discrimination in new lawsuit

Former Houston Texans cheerleader Hannah Turnbow wipes her tears as she speaks sitting beside attorney Gloria Allred during a press conference announcing a lawsuit on behalf of five former Houston Texan NFL cheerleaders shown at the law offices of Kimberley Spurlock, 17280 West Lake Houston Parkway, in Humble, Friday, June 1, 2018. less

Former Houston Texans cheerleader Hannah Turnbow wipes her tears as she speaks sitting beside attorney Gloria Allred during a press conference announcing a lawsuit on behalf of five former Houston Texan NFL ... more

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle

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Former Houston Texans cheerleader Hannah Turnbow wipes her tears as she speaks sitting beside attorney Gloria Allred during a press conference announcing a lawsuit on behalf of five former Houston Texan NFL cheerleaders shown at the law offices of Kimberley Spurlock, 17280 West Lake Houston Parkway, in Humble, Friday, June 1, 2018. less

Former Houston Texans cheerleader Hannah Turnbow wipes her tears as she speaks sitting beside attorney Gloria Allred during a press conference announcing a lawsuit on behalf of five former Houston Texan NFL ... more

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle

Former Texans cheerleaders claim sex discrimination in new lawsuit

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Five former Texans cheerleaders filed suit Friday in Houston federal court against the NFL team, accusing the Texans of paying cheerleaders a dime a minute to cheer for pro football players who are paid in the millions of dollars.

The suit, filed by attorney Gloria Allred and Houston attorney Kimberly Spurlock on behalf of five former Texans cheerleaders, is the second filed against the Texans and the latest in a series of legal actions accusing NFL teams of failing to pay minimum wage and overtime and in subjecting cheerleaders to unsafe working conditions.

"While their beauty and cheers provided ample entertainment for fans, the Houston Texans cheerleaders were never treated like the integral part of the team that they are," the lawsuit said.

"I stand with four of my cheer sisters who want to show girls and young women that we are more than pretty faces in a cheer uniform," said Hannah Turnbow, a 2017 cheerleader who is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit. "We are a team to be reckoned with."

Also, the lead plaintiff, Turnbow, is in the process of filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the lawsuit said.

Allred said the Texans and their fans owe current and former cheerleaders respect and proper pay for their performance.

"Stop penny-pinching," Allred said. "Pay these women what they deserve, and be sure you pay them for every minute they work," Allred said, "Everyone who supports this team while how these cheerleaders are being treated are complicit.

"Players, stand up for your co-workers. Do not stand silently by while these women who dance and work so hard to build enthusiasm and help you win are paid almost nothing while you earn millions of dollars for your efforts. Fans, when you buy a calendar and a cup and enjoy seeing cheerleaders (perform) ... think about how these women are being cheated out of a living wage.

A Texans spokesperson said the team did not have any additional comment beyond their statement last week.

"We are proud of the cheerleader program and have had hundreds of women participate and enjoy their experience while making a positive impact in the local community," the statement said. "We are constantly evaluating our procedures and will continue to make adjustments as needed to make the program enjoyable for everyone."

The allegations follow several other lawsuits that cheerleaders have filed against NFL teams across the country. Recent lawsuits have been filed against the Saints and Dolphins by former cheerleaders, and several Washington cheerleaders told The New York Times they were required to participate in off-field activities with team sponsors.

"The Houston Texans should not have given us a uniform if they did not want us to become an army," said Ainsle Parish, a cheerleader in 2016-17.